RUGBY UNION: Direen set for Quins debut (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Direen set for Quins debut

10:00am Friday 4th January 2013 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

Oxford Harlequins are set to give a debut to new signing Jon Direen when they visit Chippenham in National 3 South West tomorrow.

The Oxford University tight-head prop, who was on the bench for the Varsity Match, is Quins’ major capture of the festive period as they bid to avoid relegation.

Locks Will Clayton and Mike Forde, prop Pete Boulton, centre Alan Johnson and scrum half Jack Cosins could all return after injury and absence.

Manager Steve Chadbone said: “We are hoping for a more fruitful second half of the season.

“We are working hard enough behind the scenes to get things going.”

Witney will be looking to reproduce the form which saw them beat Coney Hill 29-22 before Christmas when they visit bottom club High Wycombe in South West 1 East.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Oxford Harlequins (v Chippenham, away): from Edney, de Lange, Brook, Boulton, Direen, Forde, Brown, Toupo, Baker, Rees, Clayton, Maspero, Cosins, Hilton, Evans, Johnson, Halatokoua, Fisilan, Green, Todd, Sanders, Farahani.

Witney (v High Wycombe, away): Monks, Strutt, Clarke, J Lamb, L Collins, H Lamb, G Campbell, Burke, Harris, Richens, Rowles, Bennett, Muller, C Campbell, J Hicks (capt). Reps: Murton, Fuller, Haire.